Saturday, January 16-Saturday, January 23, 2016

Saturday it was a modified routine since we are in a hotel.  But we checked out of the hotel and went and rechecked the sisters apartment after they had pledged to take care of some things that were keeping their apartment from being "celestial" and also checked the zone leaders as they should be an example of what an apartment should look like.  These are elders that the President calls to teach others how to clean their "comfort rooms".  Their front door was also washed so I think they felt good about their efforts and expectations.  10:00 we had a workshop in San Jose, about 13 people came.  I introduced us.  Ray taught a workshop about keeping financial records/personal and business.  They were very engaged.  A young return missionary who is serving as a counselor in the District Presidency thanked me afterwards for my story and testimony.  He was considering marriage in a year but the Spirit directed him during my introduction, to move forward with faith into marriage.  He will send me an email announcement.  We know the girl he will propose to.  It was all very rewarding .  When it was over, we stopped to go into the new Robinson Mall here and looked over the grocery store.  We arrived in Iloilo around 4:00, delivered apartment checks and then walked the Esplanade.  5:00 home.  I'm beat.  But I gave Ray a hair cut and we are preparing for tomorrow--Sabbath Delight.
Sunday 7:50 we headed to Dumangas but then President Insigne calls while we are driving and wants us to take the multimedia to President Ortega.  Of course, he didn't realize we were already past that point and this would make us late for church but we turned around and went back, picked up the multimedia and took it to President Ortega.  On our way again.  We picked up Darlene at the gas station and onto Dumangas.  As we were late, we visited with the bishop after Sacrament and Sunday School along with his specialist and encouraged them to hold a "My Path" again soon.  We gave three sisters and one child, and a high councilman a ride into LaPaz.  Home 3:30 to Jalandoni for a young adult fireside with Elder Russell M Nelson and his wife, Wendy broadcast from BYU-Hawaii campus. Sister Nelson talked about becoming DESPERATE.  How it is a blessing when we become desperate.  Read the scriptures, kneel and pray for that one question you want to know that day--then read the scriptures until you get the answer.  Elder Nelson spoke of the "millennials "--the most compelling generation of this world.  His recommendations:  1-Learn who you really are (elect)
2-Expect and prepare to accomplish the "impossible".  The Abrahamic tests did not stop with Abraham.  3-Learn how to access the power of heaven (spend time in holy places),  find out what you need to stop doing and what you need to start doing.  Serve with love--give a generous amount of your time.  4-Follow the prophets.  Listen with the intent to obey.  Know and feel how much the Lord loves you.  Home 6:30
Monday routine.  Two loads of wash on line to dry.  8:45 heading to Jalandoni.  10:30 Cushings came and we went to Pavia to Sister Cagapes oldest sons' new car wash grand opening and a restaurant will be connected with it so you can eat while your car is washed.  We paid them to wash and vacuum the truck P120.  They served us soup and rolls while we waited.  Sister Cagape met us there and we went to her chicken farm.  She served us fresh coconut milk, then we looked over the farm.  Cushings had never been here before.  After our visit, we took Sister Cagape back to the car wash and she gave us two bags of fresh calamansi from her farm.  Then we went to SM and ate at Zark's: 3 cheeseburgers and fries.  I ate less than a fourth of Ray's and some fries.  Cushings and us separated after that and we went to Arevalo to take an envelope for the AP's to take to Antique.  The zone leaders left it in the truck.  Home 6:30.  Brought in clothes.
Tuesday routine.  District meeting.  Purchased water at 10:00 on our way to Jalandoni.  At lunch, we went to SM and purchased blue marlin fish for lunch and candy bars for apartment checks Thursday.  Lunch.  Took a rest.  3:00 we went to Sister Timbus and her househelp gave me a manicure and a pedicure--first ever.  She was good and fast.  I had pink glitter polish with white tips.  It was so fun.  5:00 walked the Esplanade.  The manicurist had given me some flip flops to use so I wouldn't wreck the polish on my toes.  Well, of course, on the walk, I had two blisters and raw holes where the flip flops go between the toes and on top of the feet.  They will heal.  6:00 McDonald's for apple pie and caramel sundae.  Home 6:30.
Wednesday routine.  Wash.  Started dinner preparation.  9:00 Jalandoni.  12:30 Lunch, rest.  3:30 Institute:  Becoming Self Reliant in the Lord's way.  5:00 Esplanade 34 minutes, 2 miles 5:40 back to Jalandoni. 6:30 Home. Snack.  Ray is trying to call Medicare.
Thursday my Mom is 95 today!  Early routine.  Ray didn't sleep most of the night:  "troubled feelings";  renters are two months behind,  Medicare is overcharging--it is difficult to hang onto our earnings these days.  7:30 am we are at Arevalo waiting to meet the South Zone leaders for apartment checks.  12:30 we finished-- not so great a report this time.  But we took the zone leaders to Mang Inasal for lunch and had Turin splits for dessert.  Elder Callaway and Elder Hallmark were nice to be with.  1:45 we left the apartment checks at Arevalo--last apartment checks for us.  Jalandoni next.  3:00 meeting with Job Fair/RC Cola. 4:30 Esplanade. 5:20 we stopped to visit with Cozzens. 6:30 home.
Friday 6:00 am we went to Sorilla's to use their Internet to call Social Security, got some answers and will proceed today with every needful thing.  7:15 returned to apartment for routine.  Began the process to fix Medicare for my coverage.  Made chicken vegetable soup with noodles soup for Kate Sorilla who has a head cold.  11:45 went to Molo bus terminal to pick up Grace Villavert prior to going to the airport to pick up Steve Tabayokyok, an interested suitor from Cebu, coming to visit her family.  We ate at the Iloilo Cafe, went to visit Aquinos and enjoyed our time with them, then we took Grace and Steve to the van terminal on their way to Antique. 5:00 home.
Saturday routine.  Then we picked up Erlene Cozzens, her brother and nephew and headed to Jalandoni to park the truck and meet Cushings.  We caught a jeepney and headed to the Dinagyang Festival.  Wow!  Pictures will be sent.  I kept thinking of my family at home and how much they would have enjoyed the dancing, the costumes, the moving sets, and the props.  It was great.  So glad we went this year.  After we walked to Jalandoni, got the truck and with Cushings, we went to SM to the grand opening of "Irish Potatoes":  cucumber lemonade, French fries with cheese and sour cream and onion toppings, beef, bacon, salsa, olives, corn--delicious!😋. We separated from Cushings after a fun visit and we went to SM store to purchase a few groceries, then back to Jalandoni to do some much needful home work😇.  Mom, Grandma, Sister Robinson III. I'm wondering what will entertain my family after all the missionaries return home--no more letters or journals😜